'Tonight' sidekick Ed McMahon dies in LA at 86

FILE - In this May 22, 1992 file photo, Ed McMahon, left, shakes hands with talk show host Johnny Carson, during the final taping of the "Tonight Show" in Burbank, Calif. McMahon has died at a Los Angeles hospital, according to his publicist. He was 86. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac, File)
— AP

FILE - In this May 22, 1992 file photo, Ed McMahon, left, shakes hands with talk show host Johnny Carson, during the final taping of the "Tonight Show" in Burbank, Calif. McMahon has died at a Los Angeles hospital, according to his publicist. He was 86. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac, File)
/ AP

LOS ANGELES 
Ed McMahon, the loyal "Tonight" show sidekick who bolstered boss Johnny Carson with guffaws and a resounding "H-e-e-e-e-e-ere's Johnny!" for 30 years, died early Tuesday. He was 86. McMahon died shortly after midnight at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center surrounded by his wife, Pam, and other family members, said his publicist, Howard Bragman.

Bragman didn't give a cause of death, saying only that McMahon had a "multitude of health problems the last few months."

McMahon broke his neck in a fall in March 2007, and battled a series of financial problems as his injuries prevented him from working.

Doc Severinsen, "Tonight" bandleader during most of the Carson era, said McMahon was a man "full of life and joy and celebration."

"He will be sorely missed. He was one of the greats in show business, but most of all he was a gentleman. I miss my friend," Severinsen said in a statement.

Don Rickles, a frequent "Tonight" guest, said McMahon was "a friend from the day I first walked" onto the show's stage.

"That kind of fun will never be repeated. Ed was the best at what he did and will never be replaced. Another giant is gone," the comedian said.

"I will miss that laugh, and I will miss him," said Bob Newhart, another "Tonight" regular.

David Letterman paid tribute to McMahon as a "true broadcaster" and key part of Carson's show.

"Ed McMahon's voice at 11:30 was a signal that something great was about to happen. Ed's introduction of Johnny was a classic broadcasting ritual – reassuring and exciting," Letterman said, adding, "We will miss him."

David Brenner, who often filled in as a guest host for Carson, called McMahon "the best sidekick TV has ever known."

"He was a human GPS navigational system, guiding you in all the right directions, keeping you from going off course, rerouting you when you did and making all of it great fun," Brenner said.

Jerry Digney, who was McMahon's longtime publicist, said McMahon was the most "courtly, good-natured person you could ever meet" and that he brought "elegance, humor and a new sense of importance" to the role of second banana.

McMahon and Carson had worked together for nearly five years on the game show "Who Do You Trust?" when Carson took over NBC's late-night show from Jack Paar in October 1962. McMahon played second banana on "Tonight" until Carson retired in 1992.

"You can't imagine hooking up with a guy like Carson," McMahon said in an interview with The Associated Press in 1993. "There's the old phrase, hook your wagon to a star. I hitched my wagon to a great star."

McMahon, who never failed to laugh at his Carson's quips, kept his supporting role in perspective.

"It's like a pitcher who has a favorite catcher," he said. "The pitcher gets a little help from the catcher, but the pitcher's got to throw the ball. Well, Johnny Carson had to throw the ball, but I could give him a little help."